The Movement Factors Influencing on Running Ability

The purposes of this study were to clarify the movement factors influencing on running ability, and to examine the relationships among these factors and others. Sixteen male sprinters participated in the experiment in which their form in sprint running was filmed.Variables of analysis were : 1) running velocity, 2) step frequency and stride length, 3) body angle, and 4) angular velocity. The results were as follows : 1. Both step frequency and stride length had no significant relationship with running velocity. 2. Characteristics of sprinters who had higher running velocity were to carry the recovery leg more forward at the moment of their foot contact, to swing the recovery leg backward faster prior to contact, and to locomote their body faster during support period. 3. Pulling the recovery leg backward extensively was causative of the timing delay in carrying the recovery leg. That delay seemed to be a factor which reduced running velocity, 4. Increasing velocity of the recovery leg prior to contact seemed to help body locomotion faster during support period. 5. Having consciousness of landing foot near the body seemed to be effective in getting up velocity of the recovery leg prior to contact